Far-right German extremists accused of plotting Berlin attack charged with terrorism

Revolution Chemnitz wanted to create a 'civil war' in Germany by framing left-wing groups

People standing at Drachenberg mountain wait for the sun to rise over Berlin on June 26, 2019, as in background can be seen landmarks of the German capital, the Fernsehturm (tv-tower, L) and the Funkturm (radio tower). Germany OUT
 / AFP / dpa / Kay Nietfeld
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A far-right group believed to have been plotting to spark a civil-war-like attack in Germany has the charged with terrorism offences.

Revolution Chemnitz plotted terror attacks in Berlin and wanted to frame left-wing groups for it in October 2018, a German court heard.

According to German TV and newspapers, chat logs were found on the phone of group members who identified as neo-Nazis.

Eight men are in custody in Chemnitz, the eastern city where anti-immigrant protests took place last year.

A trial is expected to start in autumn in Dresden.

Nearly 13,000 far right violent extremists live in Germany, according to the country’s intelligence service.

A pro-immigration German politician was murdered by a 45-year-old extremist in June.

Stephan Ernst confessed to the killing and said Walter Lübcke’s political embrace of refugees motived him.

Mr Lübcke was a member of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU).

Mr Ernst was arrested 10 years ago at a neo-Nazi march in Dortmund and sentenced to seven months’ probation for breaching the peace.